Fines for taking children out of school for holidays have increased

We get that it's hard for families right now with the cost of living crisis and that it's hard to accept seemingly unfair price hikes from holiday companies over the school holidays. However, to help you make an informed and sensible decision about when to take holidays if you have kids in school, here's everything you need to know about the new fines and how they could affect you...

How much can you get fined for taking children out of school for holidays during term time?

two school age children going on holiday looking out the window at plane

From 19 August 2024, the fine for unauthorised absence from school is £80 per parent, a £20 increase from the fine which was first introduced in 2013. If the fine isn't paid within 21 days this amount will rise to £160 if paid within 28 days, a £40 increase on the previous rate of £120.

If you take your child out of school during term time again within three years of the initial fine, and it isn't an authorised absence, you will be fined £160 straightaway.

When will parents receive the fine?

Every local authority in England has different policies and procedures for handing out school absence fines, so it can be a bit of a lottery depending on where you live/your child goes to school. Some local authorities hand out a huge number of fines while others don't at all, but it's probably not a chance you want to take.

However, the new 2024 guidelines provide more clarity and aim to unite councils in how fines are given to parents. The guidelines suggest that fines are handed out after a child has missed 5 consecutive days of school (10 or more sessions) without the headteacher's authorisation.

Headteachers are still in charge of deciding which cases to send to the local authorities to issue fines and may instead choose to work on the matter independently with the family in question.

Can you be prosecuted for taking your child out of school during term time for a holiday?

If you have already received two fines within a three-year period, a third fine cannot be issued. Local authorities are then encouraged to take alternative action, which can include a parenting order or prosecution.

If you have to attend court because of unauthorised school absence, the fine could be up to £2,500, money which would be much better spent on a family holiday in the school holidays!

In serious cases, the court may even issue parents with a community order or a jail sentence of up to 3 months.

Why is it important for children to be at school all term?

It's a no-brainer that children who attend school regularly achieve better GCSE and A Level grades than those who don't.

It might surprise you though to learn that the same applies to their wellbeing too, and children feel happier and safer when they attend school when they should.

It's not just about secondary school grades though. Research shows that in primary school many children who missed four or more days of school didn't meet the expected standard in reading, maths and writing.³